Broadband reconfigurable matching network of reduced dimensions for the UHF military satellite communication band

In a wireless communication system, a good impedance match between the transmitter and the antenna is essential in order to achieve power efficient operation and maximize the effective radiated power (ERP). In portable scenarios, the antenna impedance is usually subject to wide variations, mostly due to its interaction with objects in the near field. This paper presents a miniature reconfigurable matching network that utilizes a novel circuit topology that minimizes insertion loss due to switch resistance and provides a wide range of impedance match over a bandwidth that exceeds one octave. The network can be implemented in a very small area, which makes it attractive for portable radios. Experimental results are provided for a unit designed for the military UHF satellite communication band that occupies the 220 to 450 MHz spectrum.